EVERYTHING BUT SPORTS: Two rivers

Two rivers of truth flow through the pages of the Bible: prophecy and wisdom. The prophets revealed the deep truths of God and his relationship with humanity, while wisdom literature reflects the more everyday truths of the sages.

Sometimes the two rivers look like they’re flowing in opposite directions. Psalm 127, for example, tells us that children are a blessing from God, but Jesus says we have to hate our own children to be his disciples (Luke 14:26).

In truth, both streams are essential for a life of discipleship. Each flows from the same source and helps us set limits on our thoughts and actions. Without prophecy, we would be tempted to love our families as much as we love God. Without wisdom teachings, we might convince ourselves that “hate” is more than a comparison. Drinking from both streams, we learn to love our families on earth, but our Father in heaven more.

Copyright 2007, 2013, A. Milton Stanley. I serve as sports writer for the Manchester Times and preacher and elder for the Church of Christ at Fredonia. The ideas expressed here, however, are my own and do not necessarily reflect the official position of either the Times or the church.